After reading through the case files, the team finds the following timeline:

07 May 1977

Tabitha Brooks kidnapped by Willis Stewart and John Lange and  leaving a social event at Georgian Court University. John grabbed Tabitha while Willis drove the van. They took Tabitha to 12 Tonkawa Trail, Shamong NJ 08088 where she was held captive for 20 days or so. It’s unclear what happened to her. The last they saw her was at the Shamong house  on the 27th. At the time, the house was owned by a Phillip Sterling, who bought the house in February of 1976.

Phillip Sterling was born in 1950 in Trenton, NJ. In 1970, he was drafted into the US Army, but never served. His family believed he fled to Canada. They haven’t seen him since. From 1975 to 1977, his name appears as a resident of Trenton, NJ (655 Rutherford Ave Trenton, NJ). His occupation is listed as “Construction Worker” with an average (for the time) salary. Phillip Sterling was never found. No driver’s license is on file for Phillip Sterling. His appearance is described as 6 foot tall, about 250 pounds, with long dark red hair pulled back into a ponytail, a full mustache, and beard at least 5 to 6 inches long.

All four men arrested (John, Willis, Robert McNussen, and Juan Delmora) agree Phillip was the man who set the plan in motion. They disagree on when they first met Phillip. Some state they met him on 04 May, some state 04 May in a small town in New Jersey. Willis states it was a small house near Chatsworth, NJ. Investigators identify the house as 62 Prince Street, Chatsworth, NJ 08019-2223; owned by Janice Lippensheld. Janice flatly denied such a meeting ever took place and claims she never heard of Phillip Sterling. Case notes indicate the investigators believed she did recognize the Phillip’s picture, but could not (would not?) identify him. Since he was never found and this part of the investigation wasn’t pertinent to the case at hand, these leads were never followed up.

Modus Operandi

The scenario for the Tabitha Kidnapping, the Sharon Edwards kidnapping, and the aborted kidnapping in Trenton are as follows:

• Phillip calls one of the group and tells them a city, the site, and a date
• A driver and an assailant drive to the location the day before and scout out the site
• A reasonably good looking woman is picked at random at the site in question
• She is grabbed and pulled into the van
• The van is driven to the Shamong house
• The assailant stays in the house until called by Phillip
  • The victim is kept chained in a jail-like cell in the basement
  • The assailant is to feed the victim once a day
  • The assailant is allowed to use the victim as they please, but are under strict orders not to kill her
  • On weekends the whole group is allowed to use the victim during a weekend party

No member of the group claims to know what happened to Tabitha and Sharon. None were convicted of murder. Only John and Willis were convicted of the kidnapping of Tabitha. Willis and Robert were convicted of kidnapping of Sharon. All were convicted of the rape of Sharon. No other charges were upheld.

16 May 1977

With the Lakewood, NJ PD having no leads into the disappearance of their daughter, Andrea and Martin Brooks hire Gerry Butler to look into her disappearance. They give him the police sketches of the two men who were seen leaving the crime scene. Gerry investigates in Lakewood until the 29th with no leads. He tells the family he will continue to pursue the case, but the cost is too high for them to continue paying him. He believes she is dead, but has reached a dead end.

23 Dec 1977

Gerry hears about a kidnapping in Philadelphia. The news report display two men’s pictures and he recognizes one as similar to the sketch in the Butler case. He asks around the Philadelphia PD and is allowed to look at their files. By the 24th, he’s run out of ideas and heads to Lakewood on the 25th. The Lakewood, NJ and Philadelphia, PA police start to cooperate and share the scant information they have.

28 Dec 1977

Gerry leaves Lakewood without anything new. Dejected he still thinks about the case and it eats into him. He decides to go to Trenton and look at the NJ State Police files. Over the holidays, however, it will be difficult to get them to accept him. He works with the Philly PD to talk to the NJ State Police and is given permission to look at their criminal photo books on 02 Jan.

02-05 Jan 1978

Gerry looks through the books looking for the three men in the photos. He finds a match on Willis and obtains the Clinton House address.

06-08 Jan 1978

Gerry watches Clinton House and follows Robert and Juan to the Shamong house and sees the white van. They stay there for the weekend and head back to Trenton. Gerry follows them.

10 Jan 1978

Gerry still hasn’t seen Willis at Clinton House and decides to follow up on the van. He finds the van belongs to Phillip Sterling, who lives in an apartment in Trenton.

11 Jan-19 Jan 1978

Gerry follows Phillip. On 13 Jan, he goes to the Chatsworth house. He stays there until 15 Jan. Then he travels to Shamong. Gerry follows him. On the night of the 19th, he begins to get anxious and eavesdrops on the house. When he hears the woman scream, he heads to the neighbor’s house, get their attention and calls the police.

20 Jan 1978

When the police arrived at the house, they found no one alive inside. Sharon Edward’s body was found in the basement tied naked to a table. Her throat was slit and her heart cut out. Forensic evidence indicated she was raped repeatedly and was ill nourished for a period of time consistent to the time she was missing. Police searched the residence for Tabitha’s body, but never found it. They issued a warrant for the four men in Clinton House that morning, with the Trenton PD executing it at 5:00 AM. Within two hours, Willis and Juan rolled on John and Robert, who were arrested in Cherry Hills. The police believe they were searching for a new victim. Though police believed they committed more abductions, they could find no proof. They also could not conclusively link the murder to any of the four. Investigators believe Phillip Sterling is the killer. Unfortunately, the prints found at the scene don’t match any known criminal and Sterling has never had his fingerprints identified.

Question: Was any police report filed on the attempted/completed rape?

No police report can be found about this incident.

Question: Was a police reports filed on the the NJ State Police’s investigation into WARP’s car.

No police report can be found about this incident.

Question: Is there a link between DeLuca and the Pagans

No new evidence has been found connecting these two. It is clear they were aware of each other and DeLuca had met some of the senior Pagans, like Jimmy D. Gregorio, the Pagans methamphetamine cooker. Research cannot identify the Red Haired man. We believe the blonde may be Richard “Wild Bill” Ayerson, who was arrested in the Long Island arrests on February 23, 2002.

Question: Who made the tip to Butler?

The police report filed for Butler’s disappearance specifically mentions that Peggy did not know who alerted him to Deluca’s location. He had contacts all over the Tri-state area. She wasn’t aware of anyone in the Chatsworth area. Police records show they found his hotel room on July 7. (The report was filed on July 6). Since Butler paid for the full weekend up front, the owner didn’t think anything of him not coming back until the maid went into the room on Monday. It’s not uncommon for people to leave clothes behind, so when she saw two sets of clothing, no one was alarmed. When the police arrived on Wednesday, they canvassed the town, but no one claimed to have seen him, with the exception of a waitress at the Red Lion Inn. Not finding his motorcycle in the area, they simply assumed he drove off, perhaps in a hurry, to find DeLuca.

Basic facts:

• Early 1970 Toyota Corolla
• In or near Chatsworth, NJ
• Age: 15-19
• Hair: Blonde
• Height: 5′ 6″ – 5′ 10″
• Weight: 110-150 pounds
• Friends: Similar looking woman, but an inch or two taller

Research has found a possible match. Mary Joe Garagozoo lived at  3 Sawmill Rd located in Tabernacle Township, New Jersey and went to Shawnee High School as a rising Junior. In 1976, she was a Junior. She is the fourth child of Joseph and Marla Garagozoo. Mary Joe was best friends with Elizabeth Moon of  16 Worrell Rd. Elizabeth Moon’s  father owned a 1972 Toyota Corolla. The pair were decent students, but paid more attention to the beach and boys than studies. There is no official record of the incidents occurring at 62 Prince Street on or about July 2, 1976. However, Mary Joe’s concentration on school was greatly improved. She ended up making Dean’s List her last semester in High School. She did well enough to garner a scholarship to Bryn Mawr College in Pennsylvania. Bryn Mawr records indicate she enrolled as a Psychology in 1978  and did very well in her first year. Something happened, however, during her second year. Her grades started to slip and by the middle of her third year she was placed on academic probation and her scholarship revoked. With no means of paying for the college, she dropped out before the end of the school year. However, she neglected to tell her parents, who were shocked to find her gone when they arrived for her at the end of the semester. From this point on, there is little information on her until 2008 when she overdosed in a crack house in Philadelphia.

Elizabeth Moon’s story isn’t a sad as Mary Joe’s story. Elizabeth did graduate, but never attempted college. Her grades never raised up and there is indications that Elizabeth and Mary Joe didn’t get on as well as they had in 1976. Elizabeth, however, appears to have run with the Pagans after she graduated. In 1983, she married William “Tiny” Mix, a short, but largely build man with a long set of priors. There is no indication that she was involved with them overly much during her school years, but some involvement is assumed.

Shelly, Frank:

1. DeLuca’s and Averilla’s known actions in 1976, particularly in the July timeframe, if we can get info that accurate. We have a lot of information on DeLuca post-1980, but don’t even know the circumstances of his arrest in 1976. We have information on Averilla up to early 1975, when he was arrested. Was he still in prison in 1976, or was he out? Where were DeLuca and Averilla living in July 1976?

Averilla was arrested on April 3, 1975 and went to trial on November, 24, 1975. He was convicted and sentanced to 90 days in jail. His lawyer argued for and won his release for time served. Notes indicate he was seeing Lippenshield starting in December of 1974. At the time, Lippenshield was living in an apartment in Manahawkin, NJ. They met at the diner.

DeLuca was arrested in Philadelphia for loansharking on 28 June and placed on $10,000 bail and told not to leave the state. On 30 June he was observed in Burlington, NJ by two New Jersey State Troopers. Gerard was notified that day to be prepared to leave, if needed. On Thursday, 1 July at 11:03, DeLuca was spotted in the American Grill in Chatsworth, NJ. DeLuca was arrested in Atlantic City on 22 July. However, by that time, the district attorney’s sole witness had disappeared. Without a witness, they had no case. DeLuca was released from prison on 26 July.

2. More information on Lippenfield’s house. How often does it show up in police reports, insurance reports, neighborhood complaints, or other public records in, say 5 years before or after 1976 (1971-1981)? I’d also like information about the neighbors for the same timeframe. If they’re normal people, I don’t need too much, but if there are any long-term wife-beaters or convicted killers or Satanist cults living there in that timeframe, I’d like to know. Also, of course, if any Pagans apart from Averilla are living there.

Lippensheld bought place in January 23, 1976. Prior to 1976, there were two complaints. Once in March for excessive noise. Once in May, for a domestic dispute. Police were sent to the scene and reported that Janice had pushed and punched Averilla who defended himself. Although, the police didn’t believe the story, they did not arrest either party. By the time 1981 arrived, the place was well known as a Pagan hangout. However, the police chose not to intervene so long as nothing was obviously occurring. There are dozens of complaints about the noise coming from the house, motorcycles, or ATVs. In 1983, the house was confiscated as part of RICO charges against the Pagans MC.

Official records only indicate the house was owned by Janice Lippenshield with no other persons living there. However, it is clear that many Pagans used this house as a place to stay for short periods of time. If is likely that Averilla lived with Lippenshield from 1976 until 1983.

3. More information about how Butler’s body was found. Who found it and how? Was it buried or just washed up on shore? Anything strange about it apart from what we already know (e.g., buried with a goat’s head or lots of black candles or a note supporting Satan’s run for the presidency)?

Technically, the body of water he was found near is not a lake, but a bog. The body was found by the dog of one of three fisherman working the bogs.
He had started to dig near the edge of the bog and found the skeleton. At first, they simply thought it was an animal bone. When they moved closer, however, they saw the skull and called the police. Nothing else (other than bits if clothing) was found with the body.

Date: May 30, 2016
Time: 5:34 pm
Examiner: Andrew T. Howe, Chief Medical Examiner, Burlington County, New Jersey

Description of Body:
Skeleton of Human Adult Male, presumed to be 6′ 1″ tall, Weight unknown (assumed around 185 pounds from last police identification)

Police records also show two tattoos
- Vietnam 1972-1973 on left arm
- Cross on right forearm

Identification confirmed through dental records from police file and genetic testing of family members indicated a 99.5% match.

Description of Injuries:
With only skeletal remains a list of all injuries is not possible. However, severe blunt force trauma is evident on many bones leaving severe fracturing and breaking. Damage is consistent with wooden poles consistent with axe handles or 2×4 pieces of lumber. In addition, the front of the skull has a pentagram cut into it with a sharp instrument. In the center of the instrument, a nail was driven into the skill. Finally, the scaphoid bones [wrist] and metatarsal bones [foot] indicate nails were driven through the skin, scraping the bones. In all, out of 208 bones, 194 were broken or fractured.

Approximate Time of Death:
Decomposition of the body indicates death occurred more than a year ago, while the state of bones indicate the death occurred 40-50 years ago. Given the identification of the victim and the year of death no sooner than July 1, 1976.

Age: 28
Born: January, 12 1948, Chatsworth, NJ
Parents: Robert (Mechanic) and Patricia (Haridresser)
Education: dropped out, Woodland High School January 12, 1964

Janice was a classic child of the 60′s, turning on sometime during the summer of 1963. By the time she started her senior year, she fought with her family often was arrested for truancy several times. On the dat of her 16th birthday, she dropped out of school, presumably to drop-in to the hippee movement. There are no official records of her for the next decade. On April 3, 1974 starts working at the Stafford Diner. On January 23, 1976 she purchases the home in Chatsworth.

The first record of her as known associate of Richie “Mug Shot” Averilla occurs during his arrest for assaulting a patron of the Delilah’s Den (strip club) in Atlantic City in April of 1975.

A low level hitman for the Riccobene crime family in the 70′s and 80′s. Notable for turning state’s witness leading to the incarceration of Harry Riccobene.

Philadelphia Daily News: September 1, 1999

In 1982 in the Italian market, Salvatore Testa, 26, sat on a stool, eating a basket of clams and a Coke, on Christian near 9th. Low-level mob hit men Victor DeLuca and Joseph Pedulla pulled up in a car, jumped out, pumped Testa with eight bullets, then sped off. Testa survived.

The gunmen failed to notice Officer Irvin Nunes in marked police car behind them witnessing the episode. After a high-speed chase, the pair were arrested after crashing into a utility pole at 47th and Grays Ferry Avenue.

http://www.crimemagazine.com/serving-harry-riccobenescarfo-war

Riccobene, who had hoped to avoid open warfare, now went on the offensive. Frank Monte became the first victim of the war. On May 13, 1982, Riccobene gunmen Joseph Pedulla and Victor DeLuca staked out Monte’s car, which was parked outside a Southwest Philadelphia gas station. When Monte returned to his automobile around 9 p.m., Pedulla, with a .22 caliber rifle with a scope mounted on it, put six slugs in Monte’s head and back. He died within an hour.

With the first casualty of war recorded, Anastasia states, “For the rest of 1982 and for all of 1983, squads of gunmen cruised the streets of South Philadelphia looking for targets.”

In June 1982, Scarfo forces got their first shot at Harry Riccobene. The “Hunchback,” who was almost 70 years old at the time, was in a phone booth talking to his 23-year-old girlfriend. Scarfo gunman Salvatore “Wayne” Grande approached and pumped five bullets into the little man. Incredibly, Riccobene wrestled the gun away from Grande who was 100 pounds heavier and nearly 50 years younger. Police arrived and found Riccobene leaning against the phone booth, bleeding all over the sidewalk, an empty six-shooter in his hand. True to mob protocol, Harry told police that he couldn’t identify his assailant.

…

In July the Riccobene forces struck back. Pedulla and DeLuca spotted Salvatore “Salvie” Testa, the “Chicken Man’s” son, enjoying a bucket of clams outside a South Philadelphia pizza shop. A shotgun blast from Pedulla knocked Testa off a wooden crate he was seated on, and nearly severed his left arm. Although in critical condition, Testa survived and looked forward to the day he could return to the fray.

from http://gangstersinc.tripod.com/TroublewithHarry.html

Seven weeks after the abortive attack on Harry, DeLuca and Pedulla driving a Ford through South Philadelphia, spotted 26 year old Salvatore Testa perched on a stool outside a restaurant, Lornezo’s Pizza, at the corner of 9th Street and Christian in the Italian Market. He was eating a bowl of clams. DeLuca pulled the car over and Pedulla leaped out racking up a shotgun and firing it three times at Testa who was blown off his chair. Although badly wounded, with an arm almost severed, he somehow survived the hit.

As Pedulla jumped back in the car and DeLuca gunned the engine, a passing police patrol car gave chase, and the two cars hurtled through the narrow streets until DeLuca lost control and the Ford hit a lamppost and overturned. The two mobsters were pulled unhurt from the wrecked car and arrested.

They were released from custody surprisingly quickly, in fact that day, and then took off, on the lam, so to speak. Riccobene contacted the fugitives through one of their wives, and agreed to negotiate their surrender back to the authorities on July 31st. In retrospect, Harry came to realize it was the worst thing he could have done. Tried and convicted for the attack on Salvatore Testa, both men rolled and became government witnesses. It was a breakthrough for the law enforcement agencies who finally discovered that all these killings and attempted killings were parts of a pattern which they came to call ‘The Riccobene War.’

Other Notes

Martorano controls drugs; Riccobene makes his money through gambling, loansharking and extortion. Riccobcne aligns himself with the Pagans to develop his own drug network. Martorano woos the Pagans because he knows they are stronger and he doesn’t want competition or war. The Pagans are divided on who to side with.

“The Pagans are much larger than organized crime.” Pagan Edward Jaclyn says. “They are in the ruthless aspect of organized crime between the twenties and thirties. In other words, organized crime figures are wearing suits now. The Pagans are out in the street doing the dirty work”

There is little honor among eastern seaboard hoods and much tension between the Pagans and the mob. Two Bruno associates and hit men Peter Rinaldi and Victor DeLuca take $80,000 in Pagan gold from Kownacki in December 1980. They claim the gold is back payment for protection money the club owes the family. Kownacki asks the Pagan president for help. Pagans James DeGregorio and Eddie Condon try to abduct Rinaldi, DeLuca and Hunchback Harry Riccobene at gunpoint in a downtown Philadelphia parking lot in February 1981. DeLuca bolts. While being shoved into the back seat of a car, DeGregorio shoots him in the shoulder. Riccobene fades into the crowd.

Riccobene, DeLuca and Joseph Pedulla later meet DeGregorio and fellow Pagan Glenn Turner at Pedulla’s house to discuss returning the gold. Turner knows Riccobene from three years spent together in jail. It is at this meeting that the Pagans and Riccobene talk about lot drug ventures.

Age: 21
Born: May, 1 1955, Philadelphia, PA
Parents: William (Teamster) and Marion (Secretary)
Education: Graduated, Northeast High School June 10, 1973

Starting dating Butler in the summer of 1974. Influential in his decision to retire from the police force. After Gerry’s disappearance, Peggy ended up marrying Joseph Armando De’Torrio, another private investigator and possible friend of Gerry’s. They were married in 1981, when she was 26. They had two children, Laura (b. 1982) and Joseph (b. 1984).